Festival visit - great staff, access good but could be better
3.5
3.5
Date of visit: August 2015
I am a carer or friend of a disabled person. I have experience of challenges around: moving around
Overall Rating
Good
We found it quite difficult to work out how to get into and around the venue space but once you know where you're going its actually quite good. Staff were very friendly and helpful. One let down is the v slim ramp to get off the pavement into the courtyard. Having said all that its a fantastic arts venue which is lovely for drinks in the courtyard, program viewing/ fuelling up in the relaxed cafe or enjoying the stunning selection of shows, particularly theatre. A few accessibility adjustments could make it really great.
Disabled Access In and Around
Good
First tricky bit is working out where the wheelchair access is. The sign wasn't obvious when we were there, although we noticed that a larger one was put up later in the festival (only to be half torn town near the end!). Entrance is round the right hand side of the venue - I think its called Summerhall square. Theres a gated entrance with a door to go through on the pavement. The tricky bit comes when negotiating the narrow ramp to get off the pavement into the courtyard. It would be great if the gates were simply opened up in the road. In terms of the theatres, most but not all are accessible. It'd be great if there was clearer information about this on their website. Ideally a section on access on the website would be great. Can recommend the cafe access wise - tables are moveable. We got the lift up to an exhibition upstairs which was actually pretty good size - it looks quite small but is actually pretty deep.
Parking & Transport
Good
Parking is a bit tricky - theres some in the side lane or some yellow line/ on street parking but in festival time its busy. There are a lot of buses that go up the bridges that stop nearby.
Accessible Toilets
Good
Good sized accessible loo on the cafe side on the ground floor. Not sure about elsewhere.
Staff
Excellent
We were very impressed by the staff. When we asked about access for a show we were interested in seeing we were given almost a entire tour of the venue which made things make a lot more sense when we came back. It'd be great to have more of this information on the summerhall website - or on here too!
Additional Information
We really enjoyed our time at Summerhall but the access could be easier if provided more information for people in advance. Also there are some adjustments that could really help eg altering the ramp on the way in.
